Amarillo blends wide-open skies with genuine Texas values, steady job growth, ample land, and housing costs that often outpace those of larger metros. That’s why manufactured housing is so popular here: you get more home for your money without sacrificing comfort or quality. Whether you’re looking at communities in Potter or Randall County, placing a new HUD-code home on acreage, or refinancing an existing unit, the right manufactured home loan can help you lock in a payment that fits your life.
Manufactured homes built to HUD standards (as of June 15, 1976) offer excellent value per square foot, quick setup, and modern, energy-efficient features. With substantial local inventory, reputable retailers, and land-home packages, you can choose an in-community site with amenities or place your home on land just outside the loop, often keeping total ownership costs lower than a comparable site-built property.
This option is a great fit when you’re placing a HUD-code home on land you own with a permanent foundation. You benefit from a low down payment, often as little as 3.5% with qualifying credit, plus flexible underwriting and fixed rates. To qualify, the home must be new or properly certified, installed to FHA/HUD standards, and typically supported by an engineer’s foundation certification, which allows it to be taxed as real property.
If you plan to lease a lot in a manufactured home community, Title I can finance the home itself, as well as, in some cases, essential site improvements. Because this structure treats the home as personal property, it works well when you don’t own land but want a predictable monthly payment and a quicker path to move in.
Qualified veterans, active-duty service members, and certain surviving spouses can purchase a manufactured home, with or without land, often with no money down and no monthly PMI. In Amarillo, many borrowers utilize a VA land-home setup, which provides a permanent foundation and long-term stability, while meeting VA appraisal and property standards for safety and livability.
For eligible rural areas around Amarillo, USDA financing can provide zero-down opportunities with income-based eligibility. The Guaranteed program operates through approved lenders, while the Direct program provides payment assistance to low-income buyers. Your property must be located in a USDA-eligible area and meet the program’s guidelines for condition and value.
If you have strong credit and are purchasing a land-home package titled as real property, a conventional loan may offer competitive rates and mortgage insurance structures. These loans come with stricter investor criteria, so your home’s model year, dimensions, and foundation details, as well as the presence of HUD tags and the data plate, are all factors that matter for approval.
When the home is financed as personal property on a leased lot, a chattel loan can be the most straightforward route. These loans typically move faster and are tailored for community living. While rates and terms may be less favorable than those of traditional mortgages, they offer a practical solution for those who love a specific community and want lower upfront costs without the need to purchase land.
If you’re buying land and setting a new manufactured home, a combined structure can roll the purchase, delivery, setup, utility tie-ins, and permanent financing into one process. You’ll close once, pay interest-only during the set and installation, then convert to a fixed mortgage when everything is complete. Expect engineering documents, inspections, foundation certifications, and HUD compliance to be part of the file.
Most programs require that the home be a HUD-code manufactured home with visible HUD tags and a matching data plate or serial verification. Land-home mortgages generally need a permanent foundation built to HUD/FHA/VA standards, often supported by an engineer’s certification, and most government-backed options require the property to be your primary residence. You’ll document stable income and meet program-specific credit and debt-to-income thresholds. For mortgage structures, the home and land are typically titled as real property, which may involve de-titling the home at the county level.
Q: Can I use zero-down financing for a manufactured home near Amarillo?
A: Yes. VA financing for eligible veterans and USDA financing for eligible rural areas can provide zero-down payment options. Your qualifications, the exact property location, and the home’s setup will determine which program is the best fit for you.
Q: Do I need a permanent foundation to get a mortgage on a manufactured home?
A: For land-home mortgages such as FHA Title II, VA, USDA, or conventional loans, a permanent foundation installed to program standards is usually required, and lenders commonly ask for an engineer’s certification. If you are using a chattel loan for a home-only purchase in a community, a permanent foundation is not typically necessary.
Q: Can I finance an older manufactured home?
A: Financing is generally available only for HUD-code homes built on or after June 15, 1976. Lenders also evaluate age, condition, and documentation. Missing HUD tags or a data plate can complicate approvals, so verifying these items early helps keep your loan on track.
Q: What costs should I expect beyond the home itself?
A: In addition to the home price, you should plan for delivery and set, foundation and skirting, utility tie-ins, driveway and grading, permits, and any septic or well work required for rural parcels. If you’ll live in a community, include lot rent and community fees in your monthly budget.
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Applying for a Manufactured Home Loan in Amarillo is simple. Are you ready to put down roots in the Panhandle with a home that fits your budget and lifestyle? We’ll help you compare FHA, VA, USDA, conventional, chattel, and land-home options and guide you from approval to move-in with clear steps and transparent costs. Call 877-280-4833 to speak with an Amarillo Manufactured Home Loan Specialist today.
